The 17th annual Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic is less than two months away and the 2013 promises to be bigger and better than ever. Last year, the ever-popular blue water event paid out more than $1.1 million and the same plus more is expected to hold true this year out of the Isle Casino which is under transition to the Golden Nugget Casino, one of the giants in the gaming industry. The event is slated for June 3-9 with fishing for blue marlin, dolphin, tuna, wahoo and swordfish. But off the water, anglers, captains, and families can participate in two special non-fishing events. First up, will be the Gosling’s Rum “Go Deep” golf scramble on June 5 at 9a.m. and it’s open to all tournament participants and sponsors. ”The golf tournament will be held at Shell Landing in nearby Gautier, MS. It’s for the participants and sponsors”, said tournament director Bobby Carter. For entry forms, check out our new website www.MGCBC.com.
Another event encouraged by tournament officials will be the Third Annual Pub Crawl through the streets of downtown Ocean Springs on June 6 starting at 7 p.m. The entertainment to this event, one that drew a crowd of a few thousand last year, is Rockin Dopsie. Rockin Dopsie is a talented singer from New Orleans who sings a variety of music, including Cajun Zydeco. ”This is for all our sponsors, along with the friends and family members of the participants. The fishermen themselves will be out fishing”, said Carter.
The Billfish Classic is right around the corner and so plan now to come join us for a great time in beautiful Biloxi, MS at the Gold Nugget Casino.

Timed to coincide with the peak of the Gulf Coast’s blue marlin season, and located at the South’s number-one ranked resort destination, the Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic at Sandestin® sets the new precedent for world-class sportfishing tournaments.

This annual event offers something for everyone. Most importantly, for the angling teams, there’s the deep blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico, red-hot billfish action, and cool green cash.

The competition takes place in one of the most productive fisheries in the United States. In the past several years two blue marlin “Granders” (blue marlin weighing over 1,000 lbs.) have been weighed in the Gulf, and state records for blue marlin and both bluefin and yellowfin tuna have been broken.

The ECBC is a “modified-release” tournament and led the Gulf Coast tournament circuit in setting high minimum lengths for blue marlin. Blue marlin are the only billfish that may be weighed. Release points are awarded for blue marlin also, in addition to white marlin, sailfish and spearfish.

The three heaviest weighed blue marlin, dolphin, tuna and wahoo are eligible for cash awards, as are the top three teams entered in the Release Division, and the top three Crews entered in the Crew Division. Awards are presented to the top overall, release, lady and junior anglers, and the top overall release team has its name engraved on the Magnificent Blue Perpetual Trophy.

This is a very special tournament paying tribute to a very special man. Capt. John Uhr lost his battle with cancer December 30th of 2010…just a
few days shy of his 49th birthday. He is greatly missed but his spirit was felt by all who participate in the Bastante. Johnny’s first boat
was named “Bastante”…which is a Spanish word meaning “a lot” or “more than enough.” He was promptly nicknamed “Johnny Bastante” as a
kid…and will be considered a Texas Legend by most who had the honor of knowing him. His stories will live on forever and so will our
memories of him as we celebrate his adventurous life year after year.